Soihtu received a Record Number of Housing Applications in 2024

News / 12.5.2025

The year 2024 was a busy one for Soihtu Housing operations. Upcoming changes in student support in Finland increased the demand for student housing, which was also reflected in the number of applications. In 2024, a record 4,981 applications were received. The occupancy rate for apartments in 2024 was 98.09%. Soihtu aims to meet the increased demand for student housing, and new student apartments have been completed in the spring of 2025, with the new U-building welcoming new residents in April.

Since 2023, we have been developing tenant satisfaction monitoring and, with the help of a new tool, have been able to address feedback from tenants more effectively. Tenant satisfaction is measured through short, regular surveys as well as move-in and move-out surveys to obtain the most up-to-date information on our housing locations. The surveys are sent to tenants by the service provider via email or text message monthly – however, each tenant receives the survey only once a year.

Housing Services Receive Praise

In 2024, tenants were most satisfied with housing services, the condition of their apartments, and the residential area. Currently, tenants are least satisfied with the winter maintenance of yard areas, the cleanliness of common areas, and the handling of maintenance requests.

We regularly review the survey results with our staff and collectively consider solutions for areas that require improvement. During 2024, changes were made to cleaning arrangements, the distribution of preliminary information about apartments, and the maintenance company responsible for outdoor areas was put out to tender. In June 2024, we started multidisciplinary comfort audits aimed at identifying areas for improvement related to the comfort, cleanliness, and communication in common areas.

Tenants Wish for Neighbors to Follow Common Rules

At the end of the survey, tenants also have the opportunity to provide open feedback on housing-related services. This feedback provides us with valuable information for improving our operations.

In the open comments, disruptive behavior in the student village, the untidiness of waste collection points, the cleanliness of common areas, and communication regarding maintenance requests were particularly highlighted. The behavior of other residents was especially emphasized in the open feedback.

In the fall of 2024, a new recycling room was opened by the Student Village’s Tenant’s committee, where tenants could bring usable items instead of leaving them in the stairwells of residential buildings. However, because the rules were not followed, the recycling room had to be closed already in May 2025.

Recycling has also been communicated to tenants through various campaigns. In recent years, communication regarding waste sorting has been developed in many ways; by adding sorting instructions to collection points and furnished apartments, distributing sorting instructions to all new residents, and communicating proper recycling practices through newsletters, information screens, the tenant magazine, and social media.

During 2025, Soihtu Facility Services will implement a new service model for handling maintenance requests, aiming to provide tenants with up-to-date information on the progress of their requests.

With these measures, we hope to further improve tenant satisfaction. In addition to the regular survey, tenants can provide feedback at any time using the feedback form available on our website.

Tenants’ Feedback in 2024:

“The apartment and the entire student village have been a very pleasant and practical place to live. Especially the proximity to the student restaurant and other services, such as the gym, have significantly facilitated everyday life. Occasionally, especially on weekends, there might be some noise from outside, but this is just part of normal living.”

“There are constantly items left by residents in the stairwell of the O-building. Furniture, clothes, etc. Items are in both the floors and the basement under the stairs.”

“The square in front of Rentukka could be used much more actively for events. Most of the time, it is very deserted. The workshop space is quite poor. Most of the tools are missing.”

“It would be nice to get an estimate of when the work will be done when making a maintenance request.”

“This past year, there were some issues with children coming into the buildings and making a mess. Emails were sent about this, and the issue was addressed. The trash bins are often chaotic, and not everyone knows how to use the laundry rooms. Maybe general rules could be enforced somehow. Overall, it is a very nice place to live!”

“The stairwells of the residential buildings accumulate junk that people leave when they move out. It would be nice if this phenomenon could be eliminated.”

“I have enjoyed living with Soihtu for three years now. The neighbors, staff, and services have been great. The living environment is pleasant, and Soihtu is in a good location.”

“Soihtu has made Kortepohja a very entertaining place to live and an enjoyable environment. I have never lived in a similar environment before, and this is a wonderful change.”